When we think of stress, we often associate it with negative emotions such as anxiety, fear, and anger. What we don’t realize is that stress also has a physical effect on our bodies. In fact, stress is the body’s response to any type of demand placed upon it.
Despite the negative effects of stress, it is important to remember that stress is a normal part of life. It is only when we experience chronic or long-term stress that it becomes a problem. The key to managing stress is to identify the sources of stress in your life and find ways to deal with them. This article will provide you with a comprehensive guide to the effects of stress on the body.
What is stress?
The reason that people experience stress is because the body perceives a threat. This threat could be something large, like a looming work deadline, or something small, like a run in with a co-worker. When the body perceives a threat, it releases a stress hormone called cortisol. Cortisol helps the body to prepare for the perceived threat by giving the person a burst of energy and increasing their heart rate.
While a little bit of stress can be beneficial, too much stress can have negative effects on a person's physical and mental health. Some of the common symptoms of stress include fatigue, headache, difficulty concentrating, and upset stomach. If left unchecked, stress can lead to more serious health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression.
What does stress do to the body?
You may feel like you have been exhausted and physically tired lately, but haven’t been doing anything strenuous. However, have been going through a stressful period of time. This affects our body in physical ways. Here are just a few:
- Tense muscles
- Upset stomach
- Headaches
- Slow recovery
- Slow digestion
Types of stress
There are many different types of stress that can affect our health. Some of the most common types of stress include:
Acute stress
This is when something that happens once and manifests as a physiological effect. This can be classed as maybe locking yourself out, sleeping through an alarm or missing an event. This can have short term effects due to the cause only lasting a short while.
Chronic stress
This is stress that is continuous. If you are experiencing this, your body stays on high alert in a high metabolic function. This can lead to more serious long-term effects such as high blood pressure, anxiety, lowered immune function or heart disease.
Dealing with stress can be difficult, but there are a number of things you can do to manage it. Exercise, relaxation techniques, and speaking to a therapist are all effective ways to deal with stress. If you're struggling to cope with stress, don't hesitate to seek help from a professional.
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